The youngster, scheduled to debut it at Valencia on Friday following
the cancellation of the Swiss team's Malaysian launch, said C24 is
'quite different' to its predecessor.

He added: ''We decided to go for a brand new project -- a new car
allows us to improve on the balance, the weight distribution and the
chassis stiffness.''

Massa will drive in Spain on Friday and Saturday, before handing over
to former world champion teammate Jacques Villeneuve.

The 23-year-old said the Valencia roll-out is just that. ''There is no
need to be quick,'' Felipe insisted. ''If everything is well, we will
first start with the set-up next week in Barcelona.''

Nick quick in New Year action
(GMM -- Jan.11) Williams' hopeful Nick Heidfeld staked a claim for the
2005 seat next to Mark Webber on Monday by outpacing the Australian
ace at Jerez.

Winter/pre-season testing resumed at the sunny Spanish venue following
a Christmas break.

Only BAR-Honda also ran at the 'de la Frontera' circuit, although a
Toyota truck rolled through the gate around lunchtime.

Test pairing Anthony Davidson and Enrique Bernoldi drove black
BAR-Honda 'concept' cars with a 2005 aerodynamic setting. The UK-based
team will launch the new 007 at Barcelona on Sunday.

Meanwhile, over at Vallelunga - just outside Rome (Italy) - Ferrari's
Luca Badoer kicked off 2005 with a tire and electronic test.

F1 in 'complete turmoil'?
(GMM -- Jan.11) If you regularly read the F1 media's interpretation,
you might conclude that the pinnacle of motor racing is in complete
turmoil.

But that's now how team president John Howett, who revealed that
Toyota conducted more than a single study in 2004 'on the (F1)
market', sees it.

He said: ''Our information really shows that F1 is still growing at
around five per cent per year -- so there's still a lot to be excited
about.''

The feeling of negativity in the grand prix press, surely, is due in
part to the sheer amount of 'political' - as opposed to sporting -
coverage.

But Howett said that, even politically, F1 is getting there. ''We are
working toward a constructive solution for the British and French
grands prix,'' he added, ''and also in reducing the costs and testing.

''I think the F1 cup is more than half full.''

McLaren in title sponsor blow
(GMM -- Jan.11) Whiskey label 'Johnnie Walker' have pulled out despite
coming close to a Formula One sponsor deal with McLaren or BAR, we can
reveal.

We reported in December that the Diageo-owned alcohol brand seriously
considered a huge title sponsorship deal to replace McLaren's 'West'
(cigarette) branding from mid-'05.

But, according to a source, the Walker pull-out might be due to the
legal confusion that could have resulted from the association of a
motor racing company with hard liquor.

Schu's set for F1 return
(GMM -- Jan.11) Michael Schumacher returned to Europe from his winter
retreat in Norway at the weekend to prepare for a fifteenth
championship assault on F1.

Ferrari's traditional ski/media event at Madonna di Campiglio, in
Italy, is set to kick off and, after that, the seven time world
champion will reacquaint with an Italian F1 test track, we can reveal.

''I have returned to Switzerland feeling well rested,'' the
36-year-old German said. ''We're all set to fight for the title again
-- I can hardly wait.''

New technical director Mark Smith said the 'new' EJ15 is basically the
existing model, modified to accommodate the engine and the 2005
aerodynamic regulation.

Predicting a slow start, then, Smith revealed that the plan is to
develop rapidly from mid-season on.

He said in a Reuters report: ''I would be very cautious about
expectations for the first races ... but don't write us off.''

Toyota's engine chief, former Ferrari man Luca Marmorini, meanwhile,
said the customer arrangement should be 'positive' for both sides, due
to the exchange of running data.

Toyota's early debut drawback
(GMM -- Jan.11) Toyota have denied they will be disadvantaged by
spurning the traditional F1 route of testing a 'hybrid' test car in
the winter period.

On Saturday, the Cologne-based big spender became the first team to
launch a 2005 car, having tested with the older TF104B in pre-New Year
running.

''If you bring out the car early,'' said technical director Mike
Gascoyne, ''you have more time to run it. Aerodynamically, you do want
as much as possible to develop and design so you might want to launch
the car late.''

But the Englishman thinks he's on to a best-of-both-worlds solution in
launching the car early, for reliability, and then working on the
Melbourne-spec aero package in January and February.

He added: ''We will totally re-work the car for Melbourne. It does
mean you have to produce more bits, but that's what you do to be
competitive.''

'Driver's head is top weapon'
(GMM -- Jan.11) Ask Sir Jackie Stewart, and he'll tell you that 'the
head' is the most important weapon in a top grand prix driver's
armory.

The world champion of 1969, '71 and '73 said psychology - for example
- defines an athlete's discipline, ability to assess risk, and
application to physical preparation.

''All twenty guys out there (in F1) are naturally very talented,''
said the 65-year-old Scot, ''but only one or two have that brilliance
which is required to excel.''

Stewart said today's truly brilliant driver is seven time champion
Michael Schumacher, 'just like in the past it was Fangio, Clark,
myself - if you want to say so - Lauda, Prost and Senna, and so on.'

Jackie concluded: ''In all cases, the head made them what they were.''

It's reported that David Coulthard, Eddie Jordan and JV's former
Williams teammate Damon Hill may attend the marathon race, to raise
money for the 'Cancer in Childhood' foundation.

''The concept was simple,'' BAR team founder Pollock told Reuters.
''How can we have fun by passing on some of our rewards to others not
so fortunate?''

Silverstone 'Academy'
(GMM -- Jan.11) The British Racing Drivers' Club would like to set
youngsters on the road to Formula One.

Silverstone's owner launched the 'Motorsport Academy' -- with the goal
of training rookies in the art of grand prix driving, also by hosting
a junior championship.

''Anyone who knows us understands how motivated we are to provide
excellence in driver development at all levels in the sport,'' said
manager Ken Bowles.

'A1' set for Asian pledge
(GMM -- Jan.11) New-in-2005 winter open-wheeler championship 'A1 Grand
Prix' is set to make a donation to the Indian Ocean tidal wave
disaster.

The car will be run in Dubai later in January, and president Sheikh
Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum will pledge every entry fee to the
Autodrome to the 'International Tsunami Relief Fund.'

''It's great to be able to bring the (A1) project back to ... my home
country,'' he said.

'There's pressure' on Mike
(GMM -- Jan.11) Mike Gascoyne has admitted that there is pressure on
him to deliver a fast F1 car for Toyota.

The newly-launched TF105 is the first racer built entirely under the
former Renault technical director's stewardship.

''Toyota signed me when I was at a team winning races,'' he commented,
''so they expect me to deliver something. But I'm not nervous.''

TF105 doesn't look outwardly radical, but Mike said new regulations in
F1 give chasing F1 teams an opportunity to catch the competition. He
added: ''And when the changes are like these, who knows what will
happen?''

Meanwhile, team driver Ralf Schumacher predicted that the new car
restrictions, including a harder tire compound, should only slow the
field by about 'a second and a half.

''I think that later,'' the German added, ''we'll be doing similar lap
times (to 2004). F1 is not going to be a lot slower.''

New F1 quali to go ahead
(GMM -- Jan.11) Formula One's new qualifying format is likely to
proceed in 2005, as announced.

Despite many player's lack of enthusiasm for the Saturday/Sunday
'aggregate' system, Sir Frank Williams said the only way it can be
overturned now is if every team, and (FIA president) Max Mosley,
agree.

The team co-owner and principal added: ''I just don't think there's
enough energy behind (changing) it. If Bernie thought we had to
(change), then he would probably be making a lot of noise about it.''

Grove-based Williams also admitted that Ecclestone, the 74-year-old
commercial rights holder, basically dictates the grand prix weekend
format, as he liaises with the TV broadcasters.

Now, president John Howett is calling on F1's other car manufacturers
- BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Renault and Honda - to do the same in time for
2006.

''We think it's necessary,'' he said in Spain for the 2005 Toyota
car's launch at the weekend. ''We said that, under the right
condition, we would do it -- so we've done it.

''We'd like some others to follow our leadership.''

Howett believes F1 'needs' the smaller teams, like Jordan and Minardi,
just as it also needs the manufacturers. He also said the two-race
engine rule, and a subsequent cost saving, had made the Jordan offer
possible.

Toyota engine director Luca Marmorini, meanwhile, revealed that the
decision to supply Jordan was made a little late. ''I think it will be
a struggle for them,'' the Italian said. ''(But) I'm sure their car
will be ready for Melbourne.''

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